Critics of the European Union and the far right more than doubled their seats across Europe in a continent-wide protest vote against mainstream party politicians in Sunday’s elections for the European parliament. French President Francois Hollande called the breakthrough of Marine Le-Pen’s anti-immigration, anti-euro National Front to 25 seats a “political earthquake.” His own Socialists came a poor third.

The new British Independence Party UPIK led by Euroskeptic Nigel Farage swept into first place with 24 of Britain’s 73 seats in its first test by the ballot. UKIP was a trailed by opposition Labor with 20 and ruling Conservatives - 19. The new British Independence Party UPIK led by Euroskeptic Nigel Farage swept into first place with 24 of Britain’s 73 seats in its first test by the ballot. UKIP was a trailed by Labor and the Conservatives. These results give the Euroskeptics enough influence to cut back on the EU’s powers. Voting took place Sunday in 21 of the EU’s 28 member nations.